Monumental Axis

The Monumental Axis' first section, the Ministries Esplanade, as viewed from the Brasilia TV Tower.

The Monumental Axis ("Eixo Monumental" in Portuguese) is a central avenue in Brasília's city design.

The avenue begins on the National Congress of Brazil building and is considered part of the DF-002 road. Its first section is known as "Ministries Esplanade" ("Esplanada dos Ministérios"), as it is surrounded by ministries buildings. Many important government buildings, monuments and memorials are located on the Monumental Axis.

A common urban legend persists that the Monumental Axis is the widest road in the world, where "[100 to 160] cars can drive side by side". This is untrue, as the road consists of two avenues with six lanes on either side; a total of twelve lanes. However, it was in the Guinness Book of Records as having the widest median (central reservation) of a divided highway (dual carriageway) in the world.

Major sites on the Monumental Axis

	Cathedral of Brasília Catedral Metropolitana Nossa Senhora Aparecida
	Cultural Complex of the Republic Complexo Cultural da República (National Museum and National Library)
	South Ministry buildings
	Itamaraty Palace Ministério das Relações Exteriores (Ministry of Foreign Relations)
	National Congress Congresso Nacional
	National Garden
	Supreme Federal Tribunal Supremo Tribunal Federal or STF
	National Memorial
	JK Memorial Memorial JK
	Television Tower Torre de TV de Brasília
	Plaza of the Three Powers Praça dos Três Poderes
	Planalto Palace Palácio do Planalto (Presidential office)
	Justice Palace Palácio da Justiça (Ministry of Justice)
	North Ministry buildings

See also

• Brasília
• List of Oscar Niemeyer works